Mr MANDER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I know that the racing portfolio is of significant interest to members and to the Queensland communities they represent. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the work being undertaken in racing and how the government is delivering outcomes for Queenslanders.
The impact of racing on the state is now more than $2.5 billion per year, of which more than half directly benefits regional economies. The industry is responsible for around 14,000 full-time jobs across the state. Beyond the economic benefits, racing is part of who we are, bringing our communities together to celebrate and connect in our cities and in our regional centres. We have just seen another Queensland Racing Carnival wrap up, Queensland Constellations Carnival, Inter Dominion Championship, Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival, and now the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival is in full swing.
Across the three codes, the racing entertainment has been outstanding. That said, it is imperative that the industry not only remains sustainable but also continues to grow for the state. When we formed government we made a clear commitment to the people of Queensland to undertake a thorough review of the racing industry, focusing not just on one code but on all three codes of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound, and for this review to be statewide.
The department, Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission provided invaluable support last year for the Queensland Racing Review, which was delivered to the government on 3 September. The government’s response to the review findings, The next lap: a plan for the future of Queensland racing, was released on 6 December 2025. After a decade with no plan, the industry finally has a clear path for the future of the industry to grow and benefit all Queenslanders while also improving integrity in racing and, above all, animal welfare.
A key part of this is ensuring the best infrastructure is in place. The 2026-27 budget delivers a significant investment in this through the new $200 million Racing Future Fund. It is designed to help deliver modern, fit-for-purpose racing infrastructure across the state while also providing a platform for industry-wide investment opportunities.
The next lap also outlined the need to deliver a streamlined racing governance model. This involved broadening expertise on the Racing Queensland Board to have greater industry representation as well as members who represent rural and regional Queensland. Amendments to the Act which commenced on proclamation on 13 March 2026 saw nine appointments to the board including the appointment of Mr Matt McGrath as chairperson. A rural advocate director has been appointed to the Goard, and harness and greyhound representatives have also been appointed.
During 2025-26, funding of $25 million for the Racing Infrastructure Fund was allocated towards the first phase of The Terraces to replace the aging John Power Stand at Eagle Farm. It is part of an overall investment of $100 million for the project to ensure our premier venue remains competitive with the premier venues in Sydney and in Melbourne.
All of these actions highlight our ongoing commitment to the racing industry and the hardworking Queenslanders the industry supports. Across the state there are 120 racing clubs—all of which do a wonderful job in serving their communities. More than 1,600 race meetings are held in Queensland every year, bringing together more than 770,000 people in attendance. There are also 14,750 horses and greyhounds in training in Queensland, and their welfare has been at the heart of all our reforms.
We will continue to keep this as our focus as we work with stakeholders to build an even bigger, stronger and safer racing industry.
The work being delivered across the portfolio demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the brightest future for the industry—for participants, employees and volunteers—and for communities throughout Queensland who simply love racing. In particular, I would like to thank the leadership and staff of my department, Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission for their hard work and dedication to this important industry. Racing is part of the fabric of Queensland communities and we look forward to continuing to support the industry. I once again welcome the opportunity to assist the committee with its questions.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you very much, Minister. For the first question we will go to the member for McConnel.
Ms GRACE: World-renowned QRIC Assistant Commissioner Kim Kelly has sent shock waves through the Queensland racing industry by officially resigning and raising serious concerns with the proposed hybrid integrity model, particularly around independence and governance. Minister, can you advise what actions you are taking on the concerns raised by Mr Kelly?
Mr MANDER: As I have just mentioned in my introduction, our government was committed to doing a review of the racing industry. One of the motivations for that when I was in opposition was constant feedback from the industry about the engagement and interaction between QRIC and Racing Queensland—the two controlling bodies of racing. We then did the review. The review came back and said that there were efficiencies we could achieve if we re-examined the model we currently have. The model is also, to put it frankly, costing a lot of money—money that was requiring the government to basically top up every year the operating costs of both organisations.
We then went about a process of looking at a governance model that would bring about those efficiencies and gain better coordination and cooperation between the two functions, if you like. We are still working on that governance model to make sure we get those efficiencies but also we maintain the highest levels of integrity. With my background in officiating, I do not need any encouragement, if you like, with regard to knowing how important integrity is, particularly in the racing industry, which of course involves gambling. We are determined to have a model that achieves the objectives we have with regard to getting the potential efficiencies the review identified and at the same time maintaining a high level of integrity.
I have had a number of personal conversations and individual meetings with Mr Kelly. He has expressed his views. He has had the opportunity to input into the process we are going through at the moment as we go through the implementation plan of the recommendations of The next lap. Mr Kelly has now made the decision he has made. I am sorry that he is leaving, but what I have found—particularly over the last couple of weeks and months—is that nobody is irreplaceable in any position anywhere in sport. I am sorry to see Mr Kelly go, but I am more than confident on two things: firstly, we will have somebody capable who will replace him in his role and, secondly, we will have a model that will address any concerns people have about a conflict of interest between the governing body and the body that is responsible for the integrity of racing.
Ms GRACE: Minister, it is a big loss. A lot of concerns have been raised. Can you guarantee that the integrity and independence of QRIC will not be diluted by this hybrid integrity model?
Mr MANDER: What I can guarantee is that whatever governance model we eventually decide on—we are treating this very seriously with regard to the time we are taking to get it right. We are having, as I mentioned, ongoing discussions with people who are experts in this area. I would note that when we brought the new board together one of the representatives on the Board has a stewarding background. They have been a steward for decades. The reason for that appointment was to ensure we had people on the Board who understand that stewarding can be done without fear or favour and without fear of consequences from the controlling body. The model that we currently have in Queensland is not the norm across the nation. Most have some sort of hybrid governance structure and they run very effectively. There are a couple of models and variations to models that we are looking at. I believe that the majority of the racing industry is very supportive of the direction we are trying to go in with regard to the governance model. They recognise that what happened in the past is unsustainable and that we have to get better efficiencies moving forward. In short, my answer to the shadow minister’s question is yes, I can guarantee that.
Ms GRACE: I invite the QRIC commissioner to the table, please. Commissioner, following the resignation of Kim Kelly, is the commissioner providing advice to the minister or RQ to address the many serious concerns raised by Mr Kelly regarding the proposed hybrid integrity model?
Ms Clark: QRIC has been engaged through the process in providing advice. That advice is informing the development of details for the implementation plan. That implementation plan is yet to be considered by executive government.
Ms GRACE: I invite the Racing Queensland CEO to the table, please. Mr Murray, why has RQ changed its decision to convert the current Bundaberg greyhound grass track to sand in favour of a new straight track contrary to the minister’s promise in May 2025 and locals’ wishes?
Mr Murray: Racing Queensland is committed to ensuring every greyhound has an opportunity to race on a consistent and safe racing surface, and the decisions made will continue to have this commitment at their core. On 24 September, representatives of QRIC completed a track inspection and advised that there were inconsistencies with the track surface, deeming it unsuitable for racing.
On 13 May 2025 the redevelopment of the greyhound track in Bundaberg was announced, with the project to be funded through the Racing Infrastructure Fund. The Bundaberg track redevelopment project was taken to market in November 2025 with an EOI process initially. Those who responded—there were five—were invited to provide pricing, which opened in January 2026. This window closed 6 March 2026. One response was received, including no local contractors, which has significantly impacted the pricing of the project. The procurement process was extended to those who expressed interest in the EOI process and they were encouraged to consider submitting pricing, but no further responses were received.
As a result, a determination was made by the Racing Queensland board to re-evaluate the project scope, and as part of the re-evaluation pricing estimates were obtained for a straight track and a one-turn track. The Racing Queensland Board considered all information not limited to cost, welfare data, infrastructure requirements, the development site, participant feedback and available expert research and expected wagering outcomes. The decision to recommend a straight track was then communicated to the club in May 2026 before Racing Queensland hosted an industry forum in Bundaberg in June 2026 to convey the RQ board’s decision and offer the chance for locals and industry to share their perspectives on the racetrack. Prize money enhancements, bonuses and grading concessions were also discussed at that forum.
Ms GRACE: What was the budget for the sand track and what is the budget for the straight track now? I believe the straight track is more expensive.
Mr Murray: The original budget that was announced in May 2025 was $4 million. The estimate has come back at $4.3 million. When we received the one response to the tender process it was significantly more. I am not prepared to share that cost in this forum. Because we will take the project out to tender again, I just do not want to impact pricing proposals.
Ms GRACE: Minister, it is reported that Bundaberg greyhound industry stakeholders are feeling betrayed and ignored by the backflip to deliver the new sand track. Will you direct RQ to deliver the sand greyhound track as promised in May 2025?
Mr McDONALD: Mr Speaker, point of order: I would ask that the member authenticate that. That is a very broad statement.
Mr SPEAKER: The member for Kurwongbah is going to table a document. Minister, you have the document.
Mr MANDER: I have just looked at this briefly. This does not have my quotes in it. Let me just clarify the facts here. The temerity of the shadow minister to talk about—
Ms GRACE: The quotes are from the article.
Mr SPEAKER: Do you have a point of order, member for McConnel?
Ms GRACE: Yes.
Mr MANDER: The quotes are from the article. They are not from me.
Ms GRACE: I said that stakeholders were feeling betrayed.
Mr SPEAKER: I do not think you were identified.
Mr MANDER: There was an imputation that I had broken a promise.
Mr SPEAKER: I am going to have the question asked again.
Ms GRACE: As reported, Bundaberg greyhound industry stakeholders are feeling betrayed and ignored by the backflip to deliver a new sand track. Will you direct RQ to deliver the sand greyhound track as promised in May 2025?
Dr ROWAN: Mr Speaker, point of order: in relation to the term ‘backflip’ in the question as asked—
Mr MANDER: Mr Speaker, I am happy to answer the question. The temerity of the shadow minister to talk about backflips! When I came to this job I basically had a posse of greyhound owners and trainers in Bundaberg fuming about being left behind by the previous Labor government, which promised they would upgrade the track—
Ms GRACE: We were going to deliver it.
Mr MANDER: They were going to do a lot of things.
Ms GRACE: You’re not.
Mr MANDER: The former government was going to do a lot of things.
Mr SPEAKER: Stop for a minute. Member for McConnel, I have been firm since day one. We are not going to quarrel across this table. Minister, continue, please.
Mr MANDER: Trainers and owners were subjected to travelling hundreds of kilometres to other racetracks, returning at three or four o’clock and in the morning, putting themselves in peril on roads at that time of the morning—
Ms GRACE: Mr Speaker, point of order: the question was whether they are going to deliver the sand racetrack as promised.
Mr SPEAKER: Minister, in the interests of time, because I know there are more questions to come, if you could address that question.
Mr MANDER: Because of that pressure, and because of the non-delivery by the previous Labor government, and because we believed they were given false promises, we felt a commitment to give them the track they deserve. The promise was that they would have a new track. That is what the promise was. As the acting CEO has already outlined, we went through a process to work out what was the best value for money.
Through that process and through the quotes that were coming back, we were looking not only at the cost but also at animal welfare. This is an important consideration that we have, particularly in the greyhound industry, to make sure we can minimise the number of injuries to the dogs. Every piece of expert advice came back saying that the safest way to do that is with a straight track. With that in mind—and RQ are still going through the process—that is one of the options we are looking at because of animal welfare. I am not backing away from that. That is an important part of the industry. We want this industry to survive going forward. There is a lot of pressure right across the country and internationally with regard to the future of greyhound racing. I support it fully, but we have to make sure we put measures in place to minimise injuries to greyhounds, and the best way we can do that is with a straight track.
Mr SPEAKER: I will go to government members for some questions, starting with the member for Lockyer.
Mr McDONALD: Minister, can you update the committee on the government’s response to the independent Queensland Racing Review and what it means for the future of the industry?
Mr MANDER: I thank the member for Lockyer. I enjoyed going to your local racecourse on a recent visit there. It is great to be reminded about how important racing is to our regions and country areas. There is a rich history in the Lockyer area with racehorses. I was on my way to Toowoomba and I must say that the president of the club did give me a bum steer with a tip.
After 10 years of successive Labor governments with no plan for Queensland racing, no plan for the John Power Stand, no plan for harness and no plan for the regions, the government has delivered one: The next lap. The next lap is our response to the independent Queensland Racing Review chaired by Matt McGrath, a former chairman of the Australian Turf Club. The review was a genuinely consultative process in which the steering committee carefully considered 1,223 public submissions and visited 73 race clubs right across the state, from the south-east corner to the gulf. It was an incredible effort.
The review made 110 recommendations. This government has accepted 79 in full, accepted a further 26 in principle, subject to further analysis or partnership with other agencies, and not accepted only five. This is a comprehensive embrace of the reform. The plan is built around operational stability, fit-for-purpose infrastructure, the ongoing viability of country racing and improvements to animal welfare and integrity. Importantly, it has been designed so that any increase in operating cost is matched by corresponding gains in revenue. Infrastructure investment will be strategically sequenced so Racing Queensland can deliver on time and within budget.
Racing contributes nearly $2.5 billion to the Queensland economy each year and supports around 14,500 full-time jobs. Racing Queensland will appoint a dedicated implementation lead and has released a detailed implementation program in 2026. I place on record my thanks to Matt McGrath and steering committee members Scott Neaves, Kym Daly and Lynette Keep.
Mr KEMPTON: My question is to the Acting CEO of Racing Queensland. Could you please update the committee on Racing Queensland’s performance of the recent winter carnival?
Mr Murray: I thank the member for the question. As the minister touched on in his opening address, we have just completed three carnivals: the greyhound winter carnival, the constellations carnival, which included the Inter Dominion, and also the winter carnival for thoroughbreds. Frankly, we have delivered the most successful Queensland winter thoroughbred carnival on record, generating more than $412 million in domestic wagering turnover, which was 12.6 per cent up on 2025 and 4.1 per cent up on the previous record set in 2023.
The Doomben 10,000 meeting had record wagering for both the meeting and the group 1 feature, with the race generating more than $10 million in domestic turnover. We were fortunate to have the leading Hong Kong jockey, Zac Purton, come and race at that meeting with us. He battled with James McDonald, and they went head to head winning each of those early races on the day.
The Queensland Oaks Day, or Queensland Day, was also strong. It was fantastic to see the Premier out and part of that day. The Stradbroke Handicap is the one that I want to finish on here. We delivered $58.3 million worth of domestic wagering turnover, making it the highest turnover meeting of the carnival. Despite the heavy track conditions, turnover increased six per cent. The Stradbroke Handicap generated $13.4 million in turnover, which was up nine per cent on the previous year. It was a true Queensland affair, with Toby Edmonds teaming up with Taylor Marshall to win the Stradbroke Handicap with Spicy Martini.
Mr SPEAKER: We will have one question from the member for Mulgrave and then we will go back to opposition questions.
Mr JAMES: My question is to the Acting CEO of RQ. Can you please explain how racing contributes to the economy of Queensland?
Mr Murray: On an annual basis, Racing Queensland engages IER to conduct the size and scope reports of the Queensland racing industry. IER is renowned within Australian racing, tourism and event industries, providing more than 60 studies across Australasian jurisdictions. Over the last 10 years, the economic contribution has increased 104 per cent: with thoroughbreds up 102 per cent to $1.9 billion; greyhounds up 208 per cent to $348 million; and harness up 57 per cent to $223 million. It is not just economic contribution; it is jobs as well. Over the same 10-year period, jobs have increased 47 per cent: with thoroughbreds up 44 per cent to 10,813 jobs; greyhounds up 114 per cent to 1,947 jobs; and harness up 10 per cent to 1,234 jobs.
We know that racing underpins the social fabric of rural towns and brings together communities in trying and prosperous times. Racing is a real contributor to regional areas both economically and through jobs. Over half of the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound jobs are regional, and over half of the economic contribution is generated in regional locations as well.
Mr SPEAKER: We will have a question from the member for Maiwar.
Mr BERKMAN: We have already heard about the $200 million budgeted for the racing industry, which includes $100 million for infrastructure including the new Bundaberg greyhound track that has already seen cost blowouts. My question is to the director-general. How much of that $100 million of infrastructure is allocated towards the new Bundaberg greyhound racing track?
Mr Hopper: That question would be better answered by the Acting CEO of Racing Queensland, Mr Murray.
Mr BERKMAN: I am sorry. It is a government funding allocation but it is at Racing Queensland’s discretion? How much of that money is going to go to them to build the racetrack?
Mr SPEAKER: I think the director-general was trying to get an answer for you through Racing Queensland.
Mr BERKMAN: Sure.
Mr Murray: The original $4 million announcement from the minister was from the previous Racing Infrastructure Fund. There will be a balance remaining in that Racing Infrastructure Fund. The announcement for the $200 million fund is separate, so the Bundaberg infrastructure project will not be funded out of the $200 million infrastructure fund that was recently announced.
Mr BERKMAN: Minister, what we are seeing here is that the government is spending public money—apparently because the industry cannot stand on its own two feet—on another racetrack, despite the fact that the last government funded racetrack has seen 37 dogs die at it since it was opened. Why is this something that taxpayers should fund?
Mr McDONALD: Point of order: there is an imputation in that.
Mr SPEAKER: I think so. Member, either rephrase the question or I will rule it out of order.
Mr BERKMAN: Simply put, why are taxpayers paying to fund infrastructure that has killed dozens of dogs since the opening of The Q in Ipswich?
Dr ROWAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the member for Maiwar’s question is seeking an opinion.
Under standing order 115, I would ask you to consider that matter.
Mr SPEAKER: I agree with the point of order, member for Maiwar, and the clock is against us anyway. I rule it out of order.
Ms GRACE: I have a quick one.
Mr SPEAKER: It would want to be quick; we have 30 seconds.
Ms GRACE: Minister, I refer to the $100 million allocated to the John Power Stand. Is that going to deliver in full the replacement of the John Power Stand? I think you mentioned $100 million before.
Mr MANDER: I will be very quick. That is a question that you would need to ask the Brisbane Racing Club. That is the contribution we are making towards the stand. We are still negotiating that articular agreement. That is the level of commitment that the government is going to give. They have to build to that amount of money or provide whatever extra money they want if they want more than that.
Mr SPEAKER: We have now reached the end of the time allocated for the consideration of the proposed expenditure for the racing portfolio. There are no questions on notice. Thank you, Minister, and departmental officers.
